Bowes Market

The Bowes Museum's well established Christmas Market will be offering quality produce from some of the finest suppliers in the area, including cheese, breads, cakes, preserves, Durham Gin, local beers, chocolaterie, gourmet scotch eggs, whisky sauce, speciality hot chocolates and real coffee. With those of you looking for an individual gift will discover craft stalls, locally made jewellery, upcycled furniture, wreaths, hand-painted clothing, ceramic and glass art, toys and leather goods. Even your pooch has its own stalls to choose from!

Hungry while on the hoof? Then try a gourmet burger, German bratwurst, a wood-fired pizza, or a fresh pulled pork wrap, washed down with some hot mulled wine.

Entertainment abounds, with popular musical group No Added Sugar adding a spoonful of seasonal singing to the proceedings, along with a festive repertoire from Barnard Castle Band and the Andreas Ensemble. Smooth Radio will be on site all weekend, providing festive music and offering gift wrapping masterclasses to make that present look extra special.

New for this year will be the beautiful, graceful Icicle Queen stilt walkers, who will interact with you at various times throughout the day. As dusk falls, watch as they illuminate!

Inside the Museum, Santa will welcome children to his grotto from 10.00 – 12.30 & again from 1.30 – 4.00; admission to the grotto is £5.00 per child (accompanying adult free), to include a gift. There will also be complementary Christmas craft activities taking place, where children must be accompanied by an adult.

The park and ride ‘Santa buses’ will leave GlaxoSmithKline car park in the town’s Harmire Road, for the Museum at regular intervals each day, starting around 9.45am. The admission charge will be collected from each adult boarding the bus, or at the front gate for pedestrians and cars parking on site. This includes entry to the market and the Museum, including the current exhibitions and displays – Mark Clarke – Shelf Life: The Ornaments are Talking to Me; Image and Substance: St Luke Drawing the Virgin and Child and Dining with the Bowes in the 18thCentury; an excellent saving on the normal admission charge, along with the usual free admission for accompanied children under 16.

Disabled drivers unable to use the park and ride will remain eligible to park free of charge in the Museum grounds, on production of your ‘Blue Badge’. As parking is limited, others wishing to park on site at the Museum will be charged £5.00 per vehicle in addition to the £2.50 cover charge per adult.

Visitors please note that there will be no access to the market via the rear gate in Crook Lane.

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